This preview is my favorite type of piece I like to write, where I just get to unload my internal notes, both written and from memory, and talk about prospects. All the information in this article is sourced from contacts, inside and outside of Prospects Live, as well as things I’ve heard in various discussions with people in the industry. There’s also a sizable portion of video looks here from this season and some AFL call backs from some of these guys in late 2022. All of the grades are my own and might differ from what you see on the site now or in the future. I’m just a part of our pro coverage, so my grades aren’t the end all be all.
Why does the Future’s Game matter? Well, it's a cool event that often leads to promotions. Of the 50 players on the roster last year, 26 have made their big league debuts since then. We have four repeats this year, as Yosver Zulueta, Jackson Chourio, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Kyle Harrison were on the rosters last year. Of those 24 players that didn’t make their debut, nine more are currently in Triple-A. So this is a good indication of who may come up soon and who you need to be aware of for your fantasy squads or real life baseball fandom.
The post references multiple prospect lists. Here are the individual links:
AL & NL Top 30s: West | East | Central
American League Roster
Pitchers
Clayton Beeter, RHP NYY - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 66th overall in Comp Round B of the 2020 draft out of Texas Tech by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Traded to the Yankees at the 2022 deadline for OF Joey Gallo.
Rankings: #8 on Yankees Top 30 | #157 on Top 500 dynasty rankings
Report: Beeter has a full arsenal of pitches and, as usual, everything is set up by the fastball. His fastball sits 92-95 MPH but can touch 98 MPH, and the pitch gets good ride due to its above-average spin. He’s one of those arms that adds and subtracts to his stuff, constantly giving hitters different looks. His best secondary is his 85-87 MPH slider, which is a double-plus pitch. It can look like a curveball at times due to its depth, but it also gets significant horizontal movement. He takes some off of it at times, as well. He has a changeup that also gets used against left-handed hitters, but it’s below-average. Whether that pitch takes a step forward will ultimately decide his future role. There’s lastly deception that helps everything play up, and his overall command is below-average.
Future Role: Beeter is a valuable arm to any staff because he’s capable of pitching in any role. He currently functions as a starting pitcher, and I do believe that could be his eventual future role, but his stuff would also pop in short bursts, which could make him a valuable late inning bullpen piece if the Yankees decided to go that route. He must be added to the 40-man roster this off-season.
Jonathan Cannon, RHP CWS - 45 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 101st overall in the third round in the 2022 draft out of the University of Georgia.
Rankings: #9 on White Sox Top 30 | Unranked on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Cannon has a solid four-pitch mix led by his sinker, which sits around 92-94 MPH. His four-seamer can bump up to 97 MPH, but he doesn’t use it nearly as much. He also has a slider, cutter, and a changeup. He gets above-average spin on his slurvy breaking ball that comes in in the low-80s. His cutter lives in the mid-80s, and it's a relatively new pitch he added to his arsenal at Georgia. The cutter has enough late movement to stay off the barrel of left-handed hitters. His changeup is improving, and it looks like the fastball out of his hand. Cannon is a strike-thrower that repeats very well and gets ground balls and weak contact more than whiffs.
Future Role: Cannon is a prototypical backend starter with a big league frame and arsenal. There are no plus pitches or tools, but he should provide quality big league innings as early as 2024.
Joey Cantillo, LHP CLE - 45 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the 16th round of the 2017 draft by the Padres. Traded to the Guardians as part of the return for Mike Clevinger and Greg Allen.
Rankings: #7 on Guardians Top 30 | #166 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Cantillo has seen a surge in velocity of late and now routinely hits 97 MPH on the gun from the left side. The southpaw needs a good fastball because his changeup is a plus pitch with excellent fade, and it works in tandem with the heater. His low-80s slider and mid-70s 12-to-6 breaking ball keep hitters honest. His fastball command has taken a noticeable step backwards this year, though, which is something to monitor in his development.
Future Role: Cantillo is in Triple-A after missing 2020 (pandemic), most of 2021 (oblique), and having his 2022 season end prematurely due to a shoulder injury. If not for all that missed time, I’d imagine he would already be pitching in the majors. He’s already on the 40-man and is on his way to becoming a solid middle of the rotation arm.
Luis Guerrero, RHP BOS - 35 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the 17th round of the 2021 draft from Chipola JC.
Rankings: Unranked on White Sox Top 30 | Unranked on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: While Guerrero is a pure relief prospect, the arsenal indicates a potential late inning future is possible. His delivery is an uptempo, high effort one, and he throws from a ¾ arm slot with a very fast arm. It’s a fairly standard operation, but he will add some wrinkles into things with a small twist at leg lift to upset the timing. His fastball is a big one, sitting 96-98 MPH and topping out at 100 MPH. His fastball command is spotty, though, often missing arm-side. His split-change comes in the mid-80s and is his best secondary. It’s almost always thrown directly off of the fastball, and he also throws a high-80s slider that he will incorporate in any count. The strikeouts are down, and the walks are way up compared to 2022, so that is something worth watching.
Future Role: He’s currently working as the closer for Double-A Portland, and it’s pretty easy to see him functioning in a high-leverage role if the command improves. It will be tough for him to carve out a substantial role if it doesn’t.
David Festa, RHP MIN - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the 13th round of the 2021 draft out of Seton Hall.
Rankings: #6 on Twins Top 30 | #282 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Festa was the rare collegiate arm with projectability when he was selected out of Seton Hall, and the Twins have done a great job of identifying several arms like this in the past. He has a long and lean six-foot-six frame with a powerful arsenal. The fastball sits 94-97 MPH and bullies hitters up in the zone with good ride. He hides the ball and uses his frame to get down the mound and generate plus extension. His upper-80s slider is a plus pitch, and his changeup also gets whiffs. Festa might have three plus pitches with above-average command, and he’s dealt with some bad luck this year with a .352 BABIP and a sky high home run rate. There’s effort in the delivery, though, and the arm action can be inconsistent. It appears the arm action has shortened up this year, so that’s something to keep an eye on, too.
Future Role: Festa has significant upside and the makings of a middle of the rotation arm, if not higher. He’s currently in Double-A and not required to be placed on the 40-man until December of 2024, so it's likely his big league debut will not come until next summer. I expect that to come as a starter. The Twins could turn him into a fireballing relief arm, but an arm like this needs to be given an opportunity to start until he can’t.
Will Klein, RHP KC - 40 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the 5th round of the 2020 draft out of Eastern Illinois.
Rankings: Unranked on Royals Top 30 | Unranked on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Klein was ranked on our 2022 Royals prospect list but fell off of our 2023 versions due to his command backing up in a huge way. We already knew the fastball was a big pitch, earning plus grades due to its velocity and his ability to let it fly at the top of the zone for whiffs, but he’s also showing better command of the pitch now. He had a fringe-average curveball as his primary secondary but has introduced a cutter/slider hybrid, which comes in around 90 MPH. I’ve also seen slower variations in the mid-80s. This new pitch and improved fastball command have improved his outlook.
Future Role: Klein has the stuff to work in multiple inning stints and be the fire extinguishing reliever that managers rely on. He’s going to work in high-leverage spots and, now that he’s been promoted to Triple-A, I’d expect a late season appearance in the big leagues.
Sem Robberse, RHP TOR - 45 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2019 from the Netherlands.
Rankings: #13 on Blue Jays Top 30 | Unranked on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Not a whole lot has changed with Robberse since we published our off-season report. The set up and delivery is very standard, and he reminds me a lot of Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty mechanically and stylistically. It’s a ¾ arm slot, and he repeats his mechanics very well. The fastball sits 92-95 MPH, and he will also mix in a two-seam variant a tick or two slower. He gets good extension and spin, giving the fastball natural ride up in the zone. His gyro slider tunnels off the fastball, and he will also mix in a more traditional slider which often gets referred to as a curveball. He also has a changeup. Robberse is very good at sequencing and has average or better command of all of his pitches, so he does a tremendous job of keeping hitters off-balance. He gets more weak contact than whiffs, which does limit the ceiling.
Future Role: Robberse possesses a non-traditional baseball background and has also been young for the level at essentially every stop, which indicates there could be a bit more here. As of right now, though, I’d say he’s a backend starter with a chance at something more if his fastball improves or the secondaries find another grade.
Owen White, RHP TEX - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 55th overall in the second round in the 2018 draft out of Carson HS in North Carolina.
Rankings: #5 on Rangers Top 30 | #145 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Owen White was 65th on our pre-season Top 100 for the site, but the stuff and command have backed up on him so far this year, so he was nudged off the list and dropped from second to fifth on our most recent Rangers list. He also recently made his big league debut, throwing two innings out of the bullpen while showing off a solid five-pitch mix. His cutter-like slider led the way at 88 MPH, followed by a pair of fastballs with his sinker and four-seam sitting around 93 MPH. He also mixed in an 88 MPH changeup and an 83 MPH sweeper. Health has been the biggest issue for White, as he had Tommy John surgery just prior to the pandemic, and that essentially wiped out two full years of development. We gave him a 55 OFP in the pre-season, but he has regressed enough to where I’m dropping him a half grade.
Future Role: When White has been on the mound, he’s been great, but the lost time due to injuries and the upcoming 40-man clock have probably forced the Rangers to go to him a little earlier than they would’ve wanted. There’s still some talent here, though. He has a chance to end the season inside the top 100 if he remains eligible, and I think he’s an easy mid-rotation arm with a chance at more than that if the command returns.
Yosver Zulueta, RHP TOR - 45 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2018 from Cuba.
Rankings: #9 on Blue Jays Top 30 | #383 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Zulueta is another arm that was ranked inside our pre-season Top 100 that has since dropped out. We ranked him 97th, but he has since been converted to a full time relief arm. Zuleta’s career has been marred by injuries to this point, as he has recovered from Tommy John surgery and a torn ACL, which, ironically enough, he tore on his first appearance rehabbing from the elbow surgery. We had him in the upper-90s last year, but this year his four-seamer and sinker are only averaging 95 MPH, and his command has dropped from below-average to something less as he throws the fastball and sinker in the zone less than 50% of the time. The overall walk rate hasn’t improved, either, as he is walking 18% of hitters faced.
Future Role: The Blue Jays have made the move we all thought they might and pushed Zulueta to the bullpen in Buffalo. What has happened after that is not something we would have predicted, as the right-hander has lost some zip on the fastball, making him less effective as a result. The command has not improved and has gotten worse in some key aspects and, right now, he looks like an up and down reliever. We are giving him the benefit of the doubt with the 45 OFP. He’s a lock for late innings if he can regain what he lost.
Hitters
Harry Ford, C SEA - 55 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 12th overall in the first round of the 2021 draft out of North Cobb HS in Georgia.
Rankings: #1 on Mariners Top 30 | #39 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Harry Ford was our 63rd ranked prospect on our preseason Top 100 and has moved up this year. He isn’t your typical catcher, as his combination of plus speed and above-average power will make him a unicorn at the position, assuming he sticks there. His power is strength-based, and his naturally selective approach allows him to sit back and wait for his pitch to drive. Right before the 2021 draft, there was some talk of Ford moving to center field, so that gives you an idea of what kind of athlete we are dealing with here. Offensively, I mentioned the approach, and he has posted superb walk rates at every stop. It’s a passive approach, though, and he will need to be more aggressive as he climbs the ladder. The Mariners are taking it slow with Ford and, if they think he can catch, he will continue to move slowly through the system. If they start moving him around, he could be on the fast track due to the offensive tools.
Future Role: I’m betting on Ford catching long-term, and his ability to crush left-handed pitchers will add another dynamic to the Mariners lineup. Ford is still in High-A and performing very well. The organization has taken things slow with Ford, and I could see them keeping him in Everett all year and then sending him to the Arizona Fall League. Double-A will be a challenge, but I’m betting on Ford here.
Edgar Quero, C LAA - 50 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2021 from Cuba.
Rankings: #1 on Angels Top 30 | #32 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Quero was our 85th ranked prospect on the pre-season Top 100. The switch-hitting catcher had a big breakout last year, hitting .312/.435/.530 in Single-A, and then he jumped over High-A and moved to Double-A to start the season. The aggressive assignment has paid off to this point, as Quero is posting an above-average line due to his patience, but we aren’t seeing a lot of power at the midway point. The strength of his offensive game is his knowledge and feel for the zone and bat-to-ball skills, and the power should come naturally due to his strong and compact frame.
Future Role: Quero has some work to do behind the plate, especially with his receiving and game-calling. He does have an above-average arm and has thrown out 25% of base stealers. He’s a good athlete and moves well behind the plate, as well. I do think he will stick behind the plate, but he needs more time. He lacks the upside of someone like Harry Ford but still projects to be an average or better backstop.
Tyler Soderstrom, C/1B OAK - 55 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 26th overall in the first round of the 2020 draft out of Turlock HS in California.
Rankings: #1 on Athletics Top 30 | #53 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Soderstrom continues the run of catchers that made our preseason Top 100 list, where we slotted him 24th. Despite only being 21 years old, Soderstrom has played the entire season in Triple-A. He’s hit 20 homers and has some excellent underlying power metrics with big exit velocity numbers. His max EV this year in Triple-A is 113.5 MPH, and his 90% EV is up over 109 MPH. It’s double-plus power potential. He’s swung at more than half of the pitches he’s seen this year, which is an insane rate. He also chases too many pitches outside of the zone and needs to be more selective in the zone. The power numbers actually play down in games because of his current approach.
Future Role: This is the million dollar question with Soderstrom. He’s caught more than he’s played first base this year, but the gap continues to narrow as he’s spending more and more time at the cold corner. He struggles with blocking pitches and throwing out runners, and even his receiving isn’t all that clean, either. None of this is even factoring in the presence of Shea Langeliers, who might be the Athletics most important young player on their big league roster. Time is on the A’s side here, though, as Soderstrom doesn’t have to be placed on the 40-man roster until after the 2024 season. I wouldn’t expect to see a promotion this year unless his swing-heavy tendencies change. I also expect him to eventually make the move to first base full-time, which puts immense pressure on the bat and opens up a new set of questions for him.
Junior Caminero, SS/3B TB - 70 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2019 from the Dominican Republic by the Cleveland Guardians. Traded to the Rays for Tobias Myers.
Rankings: #1 on Rays Top 30 | #3 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: We had Junior Caminero ranked 70th on our pre-season Top 100 list. His ascent up prospect lists has been well documented by now, and he’s still ascending as a 19-year-old in Double-A who has put together a 134 wRC+.He absolutely crushed High-A pitching and was promoted to Double-A after just 36 games. He has double-plus bat speed and has really grown into his frame and become one of the most exciting players in the minors with an above-average hit tool and double-plus power projection. He’s a middle of the order slugger and franchise-altering bat. One nitpick is he’s hitting the ball on the ground a little too much and, when he starts hitting for power to his pull-side more, he’s really going to start opening more eyes. He’s split his time between shortstop and third base in Double-A but, due to his size and frame, he’s going to eventually move to the hot corner. The arm is plus, but the foot speed and lack of lateral quickness make him better suited to play third.
Future Role: How does a future lineup cornerstone sound? Caminero is going to anchor a lineup and be the most feared hitter while hitting in the same lineup as Wander Franco. The Rays have to add Caminero to the 40-man roster after this season, so he seems destined to make his big league debut early in 2024, but I’ll say this: the Rays should make the playoffs, and it’ll be pretty tough to play in postseason games and not have Caminero available.
Jackson Holliday, SS BAL - 70 OFP
Acquired: Drafted first overall in the 2022 draft out of Stillwater HS in Oklahoma.
Rankings: #1 on Orioles Top 30 | #2 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Holliday was ranked 13th on our pre-season Top 100 list and has quickly moved up to 2nd. Last year’s first overall pick has done everything expected of him and more,as he’s already made the climb to High-A as a 19-year-old. He has one of the more visually appealing swings in the game, with elite bat speed and swing decisions. He also has one of the best approaches in the sport, rarely expanding the zone and making frequent contact despite facing more experienced pitchers along the way. He’s a plus runner and has the high baseball I.Q. to maximize his speed. He’s an explosive athlete with obvious big league bloodlines. While the power is plus, he’s just hitting the ball on the ground too much right now. That will improve. He’s the complete package, and the top prospect in baseball as soon as Elly De La Cruz graduates.
Future Role: Holliday is a five-tool talent that has a chance of winning multiple MVP awards for the Orioles. He does everything well, and it is going to be difficult for the Orioles to keep him in the minor leagues in 2024. Not only does he have the strength and explosiveness you want from a top prospect, but the most appealing aspects of his game are the underlying swing decisions and plate coverage. He’s going to stick at shortstop but has played some second and third base in the minors this season.
Colt Keith, 3B DET - 55 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 draft out of Biloxi HS in Mississippi.
Rankings: #1 on Tigers Top 30 | #34 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Keith was in the middle of a big breakout last year until he injured his shoulder that ended his season outside of an Arizona Fall League cameo. The Tigers sent Keith to Double-A to start the season, and he showed plus hit and power tools backed up by improved hard-hit data, exit velocities, and contact rates. Keith has continuously gotten stronger and developed a better plate approach, which has helped him elevate his power to plus and change the offensive profile. He’s going to be the crown jewel of the Tigers rebuild, and he looks like the type of hitter everyone predicted Torkelson would become, but from the left side. It’s an above-average hit tool with plus power. The only real question is where he plays because, while the arm is plus, the speed and range are below average.
Future Role: Keith is going to be a middle of the lineup bat for the Tigers, and the only real question here is if he can stick at third base or will end up moving to first base. The downside to bulking up and adding strength means the physical gains could push him off of third, where he was already fringe-average. It’s a fair trade off, though, as the bat puts him in a special tier. It’s enough for first base, even if he has to move there. I’d bet he comes up as a third baseman, even if he’s below-average, and the Tigers just make it work. He’s a run producer that does damage.
Justyn-Henry Malloy, 3B/OF DET - 45 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Georgia Tech by the Atlanta Braves. Traded to the Tigers for Joe Jimenez.
Rankings: #8 on Tigers Top 30 | #80 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Malloy was traded to the Tigers this off-season, but the profile remains the same. It’s an OBP and power-based offensive profile. The approach is even simpler when you break it down; he’s simply looking to hit the ball in the air to his pull-side. While that’s easier said than done, it has been working for him up to this point. He has posted high barrel rates but, perhaps curiously, the exit velocities are above-average and nothing more. The walk rates are elite, though, and some of that does come from a bit of passivity. Adjusting his approach could perhaps lead to more power, but it might also not. The Braves thought highly of Malloy post-draft and sent him straight to full-season ball, and he’s performed well-above-average at every level since.
Future Role: Malloy played primarily third base at Georgia Tech but started occasionally playing some outfield as a pro in his first season. His plus arm is a weapon either way but, ultimately, I think he’s a better fit in left field. He’s filled out and lacks the ideal range for third base, and I just said how I think the Tigers will run with Colt Keith at third. I’m not going out on a limb here, either, as Malloy has primarily played left field for the last month or so at Toledo. I imagine him being a fifth or sixth hitter in a lineup while socking 25 homers and posting above-average OBPs at his peak. That will make him a very useful player at his peak.
Kyren Paris, SS/2B LAA - 40 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 55th overall in the second round of the 2019 draft out of Freedom HS in California.
Rankings: #9 on Angels Top 30 | #251 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Paris has set a new career high in homers this year in Double-A with 12. He ended last year with a small 14 game sample at the level, but this is his first prolonged taste in the upper minors. I’ve talked to a few people that have seen him this year and last, and they seemed to hint that he might be selling out for power at the expense of his already shaky contact skills. Coming out of high school, Paris was advertised as a speed and contact guy and, while the plus speed is there, the contact ability really hasn’t been. Part of it is due to overall passivity, but he’s also swinging through more pitches this year. I do believe you should always bet on the athlete, though, and while I don’t think he can be an everyday starter at shortstop or even second base because of the whiffs, he’s athletic enough to help a team plug some holes with the day-to-day grind. It’s not an original take, but I’d like to see him start playing center field and, simply put, all over the diamond.
Future Role: I touched on this briefly in the first paragraph, but I want Paris to start adding some versatility to his profile. It’s his best and maybe only chance, if I’m being honest, of carving out a long, fruitful big league career. The arm isn’t enough for everyday work at shortstop regardless of the bat, and there isn’t enough pop for second base. He’s caught in between.
Kyle Manzardo, TB 1B - 55 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 63rd overall in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft out of Washington State
Rankings: #2 on Rays Top 30 | #6 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: We ranked Kyle Manzardo 51st on our pre-season Top 100. He might have the best pure hit tool in the upper levels of the minors, and the only hit tool in the Futures Game in the same stratosphere as Jackson Holliday’s. His approach is fantastic, and 2023 is the only year of his professional career where he isn’t flirting with more walks than strikeouts. He’s still displaying strong plate skills this year despite down numbers across the board, and I’m not concerned because his zone-contact rates and chase rates are plus. He’s not expanding the zone and making contact when he offers at a pitch in the zone. The knock on Manzardo is he only has average power which, at any other position, isn’t a concern, but for someone locked into first base it can be a minor nitpick.
Future Role: I’ve said this multiple times before but not sure if I’ve ever shared it over a public space: Manzardo reminds me so much of former Mets infielder Daniel Murphy. The swing has a lot of mechanical similarities, and he was also a guy that made tremendous contact and has average power. The power for both players was average, but the high rate of quality contact means they will both exceed their power grades. Manzardo is a threat to lead the league in doubles nearly every year, too, as he’s a hit-over-power profile that can go line-to-line and lives in the gaps. There was some misguided talk about him possibly playing third base this spring, but that never materialized. He’s a first base-only prospect, and he’s below-average at the position with a below-average arm and poor agility. All of his value will come from a middle of the order spot in the lineup.
Marcelo Mayer, SS BOS - 60 OFP
Acquired: Drafted fourth overall in the 2021 draft out of Eastlake HS in California.
Rankings: #1 on Red Sox Top 30 | #16 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Mayer was 14th on our pre-season Top 100 list. He was one of the top players in High-A this year in his 35-game sample before getting the bump up to Double-A. He was controlling the zone and hitting the ball with authority all over the diamond. There’s also some seriously underrated power to his pull-side. Mayer hits some absolutely mammoth homers and this is an indication to me that there’s plus power waiting to be drawn out with more refinement. The book on Mayer for us in the pre-season was that he would likely develop into a hit-over-power shortstop, but I think there might be a pair of future plus offensive tools here. He’s still maturing physically and, while the power is mostly gap-to-gap now, that will change as he adds strength. He does have some issues with contact on breaking balls, especially those lower in the zone, but, again, he’s still young.
Future Role: As bullish as I am on his offensive upside, I’m conscious of the fact that if he bulks up too much, he will have to move off of shortstop. That is a possibility, especially since his arm is average, and he has fringy speed. He may end up being a better fit at second base if he adds to the frame. I do think his hands and baseball instincts are solid at shortstop, though, and it would simply be his size and lateral quickness that would move him to second.
Nick Yorke, 2B BOS - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 17th overall in the first round of the 2020 draft out of Archbishop Mitty HS in California.
Rankings: #2 on Red Sox Top 30 | #99 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Nick Yorke walked so Marcelo Mayer could run. Yorke performed so well in his first pro season that the Red Sox went back to the California prep ranks and plucked Marcelo Mayer the following year. Okay, so his performance had nothing to do with the Mayer selection, but Yorke showed a double-plus hit tool in 2021. An injury-filled 2022 season saw him playing through toe, wrist, and back injuries, and the hit tool didn’t show up as he was selling out for power a bit. He was solid in my live looks out in Arizona for the Fall League, though. He was a tough rank this winter because we had to sift through the noise and decide how much to ding him for his down year in 2022. He’s bounced back this year, though, and he’s showing good swing decisions while still maintaining that pull-side power. The bat speed is there, but there are some questions as to how he fares against elite velocity.
Future Role: Yorke is an average defender at second base with just enough speed and arm strength to stick there. The speed and arm are both below-average and would make him an unnatural fit really anywhere else defensively, though, so we have to hope it all works. Yorke could be a nice future number two hitter in the lineup because of how well he controls the barrel and makes contact.
Lawrence Butler, OF/1B OAK - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 draft out of Westlake HS in Georgia.
Rankings: #8 on Athletics Top 30 | #169 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Butler has some potential in the box. He has good size, a discerning eye, and consistent big man power. He’s topped out at over 112 MPH in the past, and his 90% EV was amongst the best in all of the minors in 2022. He’s altered the load in his swing this year, which is allowing him to be more fluid and athletic in the box, and he’s also attacking pitchers earlier in the count. He’s hammering fastballs and catching the ball out front instead of letting it travel. There’s not much of a change in his batted ball distribution here, though. He’s made the necessary adjustments and is now making contact at an above-average rate, which leads me to believe the reduction in strikeouts is something bankable. He’s making more contact and not getting deep in counts. Doing those has cut ten percent off of strikeout totals from 2022. He’s a guy that used to live around 30%, so maintaining a rate under 20% for as long as he has is a massive development. You could see him become a 55 OFP in no time if he’s able to maintain these improvements. His stock is on the rise.
Future Role: He’s been playing mostly center field this year in Double-A, but he’s also played some first base and right field. I bet he moves around between the outfield corners and first base in the big leagues. The six-foot-three lefty should debut sometime in 2024.
Jonatan Clase, OF SEA - 45 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2018 from the Dominican Republic.
Rankings: #7 on Mariners Top 30 | #66 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: The now switch-hitting Clase has had a power emergence this year, as he’s set a career high already with 16 homers. This is a big development because he was already an elite runner with incredible feel for stealing bases. He swiped 55 bases last season and is already up to 43 this year. We do have to sift through the noise here, though, and assess how much of the power gains were aided by that ballpark in Everett, which is in the extremely pitcher-friendly Northwest League. Obviously seven homers in 21 games isn’t a sustainable rate, either, so we have to bake some natural regression in there, too. Jake broke down Clase in his Sunday Six Pack series, and I agree with his overall assessment of the power. He’s likely to top out at around 20 homers or so at his peak, and the exit velocity data we have backs that up. He’s fallen in love with the long ball a bit in Double-A, as the strikeout rate has jumped up over 30%, which isn’t ideal for his overall skill set. However, the newfound power does give him a chance at being more than just a pinch runner or defensive replacement due to his average glove in center field.
Future Role: There’s still a chance Clase fits best as a high volume fourth outfielder, which is admittedly a bit of a cop out, but we need to see more. The strikeout rate is a bit scary here, and he really lacks instincts in the outfield and relies on his elite speed to bail him out and cover ground. He’s built for showcase events like this, though, with some loud tools.
Drew Gilbert, OF HOU - 55 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 28th overall in the first round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Tennessee.
Rankings: #1 on Astros Top 30 | #57 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: A muscular five-foot-nine ball of energy, Gilbert has surged through the Astros system, already spending a majority of his season in Double-A despite being drafted in 2022. Offensively, he pairs strong pitch recognition skills with double-plus bat speed and will do damage in all quadrants of the zone. His bat path is optimized to create damage, and that’s exactly what he does. He should be good for 20-25 homers annually while working counts and getting on-base at an above-average clip. If he doesn’t stick in center field, he has the arm strength for right. He’s going to be prominently featured on our mid-season T100, which is coming soon.
Future Role: Gilbert wears his emotions on his sleeve when he’s out on the field, leaving everything out there and providing firmly above-average production while he does it. He should stick in center field and do his best to plug the hole the Astros have had since the departure of George Springer via free agency. Gilbert will be up sometime early in 2024.
Heston Kjerstad, OF/1B BAL - 55 OFP
Acquired: Drafted second overall in the 2020 draft out of Arkansas.
Rankings: #4 on Orioles Top 30 | #78 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Despite a serious bout with myocarditis that cost Kjerstad the entire 2021 season, we stuck with him and placed him 98th on our pre-season Top 100. Kjerstad showed off his impressive and easy raw power last year in the Arizona Fall League on his way to winning league MVP honors. He was aggressively assigned to Double-A to begin the season after just 65 professional (non-AFL) games under his belt, and he performed well enough that he has already been up in Triple-A for the better part of a month. His Triple-A data is impressive, showing an excellent blend of contact skills (91% Z-Contact) and power (108 MPH max EV, 107.5 MPH 95% EV).
Future Role: Kjerstad has primarily played right field as a pro, but lately he’s been spending most of his time at first base and looks like a legit option there. There’s a clear need there on the Baltimore roster, and he can add yet another dynamic bat to join the recently promoted Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser. Baltimore continues to churn out bats. Kjerstad could eventually hit in the middle of the lineup, and the left-handed power is welcomed in that park with the new dimensions.
Spencer Jones, NYY - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 25th overall in the first round of the 2022 draft out of Vanderbilt.
Rankings: #2 on Yankees Top 30 | #58 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Jones is a large human and uses every ounce of his six-foot-six frame to hammer baseballs to the moon. He’s posted huge exit velocity numbers dating back to his college days. In addition to the loud power, he’s also a plus runner and was a former two-way player. His bat-to-ball issues are a bit scary, though, and the story with Jones until the end of his career will be questions centered around making enough contact. Right now, he’s striking out at over a 30% rate in High-A, but his SwStrk% sits around 13%. That tells me that, yes, making consistent contact is an issue. However, a large chunk of his strikeouts are due to his length.
Future Role: Jones is currently playing center field in High-A, and I believe there’s a good chance he sticks at the position. He runs extremely well, not just for his size but overall, and the arm isn’t out of place in center. Of course, none of this matters if the hit tool falls flat. If he can keep the hit tool around the 40/45 range, we could have a star.
National League Roster
Pitchers
Mick Abel, RHP PHI - 60 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 15th overall in the first round of the 2020 draft out of Jesuit HS in Oregon.
Rankings: #2 on Phillies Top 30 | #59 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Abel was ranked 46th on our preseason Top 100, and I’d expect him to be similarly ranked in our upcoming mid-season update. Abel throws four pitches and all are average or better. His fastball is a plus pitch that touches 99 MPH, but the command of the pitch leaves a little to be desired and has caused some problems for him this year in Double-A Reading. He’s also losing a few ticks off of the fastball as he works deeper in games, and his command issues are leaving him little room for error. His two power breaking balls are swing and miss pitches but, again, the command hasn’t been sharp, and they are finding barrels, and his changeup has been inconsistent. I’d still grade his fastball and slider as plus offerings, though, and all four pitches as average or better, so I’m trying not to make this sound negative. We’re nitpicking an arm that will be pitching big time innings and hopefully starting playoff games for the Phillies.
Future Role: Not many pitchers have the pedigree and potential as Abel. Abel is a future frontline starter but still has some command and pitch shape issues to iron out. His aggressive ranking has always been on what he could become, and he still is on track to make his big league debut sometime early in 2024, which is a lot earlier than it needs to be.
Kyle Harrison, LHP SF - 60 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 85th overall in the third round of the 2020 draft out of De La Salle HS in California.
Rankings: #1 on Giants Top 30 | #21 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Harrison is one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the minor leagues and was 19th on our preseason Top 100. He started the season in Triple-A before turning 22, which is something not many arms can say. The fastball has been averaging 94 MPH this year in Triple-A, and he can still touch 98 MPH from the left-side when he needs it. The statcast data has split his slider into two distinct pitches, a traditional slider and more of a slurvy breaking ball, which is the preferred one by the young lefty. His changeup is fringe-average, and he’s not getting many whiffs with the pitch. His fastball plays up metrically due to its slightly above-average spin and low release. He’s had some issues with his command, and they have improved of late, but it still needs to be refined. He can become inefficient as he battles, and the Giants have been playing it safe with him as he’s only completed five innings once so far this year.
Future Role: Harrison is toeing the line for me between a mid-rotation arm and a frontline number two starter, and a lot of that will be determined by two main things, health excluded. Harrison’s fastball and slider(s) are two plus pitches, but he needs either his command or his changeup to improve for me to say he’s definitely a number two starter. He’s still extremely young for the level, and the Giants tend to figure things out on the pitching side, so I’m optimistic but he is far from a finished product. The issues about his changeup will really start to show up when he’s going longer in games and has to mix in his third pitch more often.
Tink Hence, RHP STL - 60 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 63rd overall in the Competitive Balance Round B of the 2020 draft out of Watson Chapel HS in Arkansas.
Rankings: #1 on Cardinals Top 30 | #51 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Hence was 38th on our pre-season Top 100 list. There’s a lot to love about Hence, but I’ll start with his athleticism and flexibility on the mound, which allow him to create above-average extension with ease. He has double-plus arm speed with a loose, whippy finish and no issues with repeating despite its complexities. The fastball sits 94-96 MPH and touches 99 MPH, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s taken a bit off of the fastball at times to guide him through the season. He has a power curveball and an above-average change that he will mostly use against lefties. It seems, since he’s come back from his chest injury that sidelined him for a month earlier in the season, that he is using the slider more than the curveball. The slider is thrown for more strikes, but it's an average pitch and is effective when it tunnels off of the fastball. He still needs to answer the durability and workload questions, and those won’t really ever go away since he’s a slightly-built arm. Hence was just promoted to Double-A at 20 years old.
Future Role: Ideally, we’d have more innings and professional starts to look at before making such proclamations, but I think Hence is a future front of the rotation starter. He could be the rare starter with a double-plus fastball and curveball, while also having two other pitches with at least an average grade. As with any arm, his health will play a major role in this, but the questions will be more prevalent here due to his slight frame. His ceiling is higher than any starter in this game, and this 60 OFP could easily grow to a 70 in time.
J.P. Massey, RHP PIT - 40 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Minnesota.
Rankings: Unranked on Pirates Top 30 | Unranked on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Massey was dubbed a sleeper by our draft team several years ago, and they said he would add velocity as he filled out and really get on hitters due to his near seven feet of extension. Well, all of that has happened, and the talented right-hander has pitched his way into a prospect after a very inconsistent and walk-filled time in college. He’s still walking guys at an uncomfortable rate, but his curveball and slider both have a SwStrk% of over 17% in the Florida State League this year. He generates a lot of ground balls, and his sinker and four-seamer averaged 92 MPH and 93 MPH, respectively, in his starts. His stuff will be nasty in short stints, and I’m excited to see it.
Future Role: Massey’s long limbs and poor command will put him in the bullpen, but there’s a chance the stuff gets him into a high-leverage role due to his ability to get ground balls and whiffs. He’s one of the pitchers in this game that is built for showcase events, and he should perform well if he’s throwing strikes.
Jacob Misiorowski, RHP MIL - 55 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 63rd overall in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Crowder College.
Rankings: #3 on Brewers Top 30 | #65 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Misiorowski has long limbs and generates insane extension down the mound with a low release point. His fastball looks like it is actually rising up at hitters because of his low VAA. He sits in the high-90s, has touched as high as 102 MPH, and posts spin rates up over 2,500 RPMs, all while getting seven feet of extension. His slider can get as high as 92 MPH with good tilt and late sweep, and he also throws a changeup and a curveball, which I doubt make much of an appearance in a showcase event like this. He does need to work on the consistency of his changeup, but he has been throwing his curveball a bit more for strikes lately.
Future Role: This is a very strong group of arms on the National League side, and this might be the most explosive one-two punch in his fastball and slider. I do think he can make it as a five and dive type starter because, as you might guess with someone with this much movement, he can have some issues throwing strikes at times. If he’s moved to the pen, he’s definitely working the late innings, and I think that is ultimately his future role.
Patrick Monteverde, LHP MIA - 45 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the eighth round of the 2021 draft out of Texas Tech.
Rankings: #23 on Marlins Top 30 | #346 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: The left-handed Monteverde has climbed the ranks like he’s an English soccer team. He started his career pitching for D-III Virginia Wesleyan, then transferred to D-II Seton Hill, and finally to Texas Tech after he recovered from Tommy John surgery. He lives in the low-90s and really knows how to pitch. He changes eye levels with the fastball while living on the fringes of the strike zone. He attacks hitters with multiple variations of the fastball, a plus changeup that drops off the table, a slider/cutter, and a slow, loopy curveball that he uses primarily to steal strikes. Nothing is overly complicated here. One minor quibble of mine is he doesn’t get very many ground balls, and giving up nearly 60% of contact in the air can be dangerous.
Future Role: If it wasn’t obvious enough, I believe Monteverde will be a backend big league starter. The changeup is the only plus skill here, although I’d listen to an argument about his command. He’s not all that different from something the Marlins seem to have in abundance, though, and that’s changeup-dominant arms. He’s currently in Double-A, but I can’t imagine him sticking there much longer. A move to Triple-A should come shortly after his appearance here.
Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP ATL - 45 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 59th overall in the second round of the 2021 draft out of Nebraska.
Rankings: #6 on Braves Top 30 | Unranked on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Schwellenbach was a two-way player for the University of Nebraska, operating as their starting shortstop and then coming in and closing out games for the Huskers. He’s focusing strictly on pitching this go around, but he’s also been built up into a starter since his return from Tommy John. He made his professional debut in 2023, and he has added some weight while also shortening his arm action. It’s still a drop and drive motion, and he gets ground balls with his fastball, slider, changeup mix. His fastball can bump up to 98 MPH.
Future Role: Schwellenbach is having a nice season all things considered and, as he gets healthier and further away from the two-way days, we should see even more improvements from him as a pitcher. He looks like a solid middle of the rotation starter, but we may not see him in the big leagues until late 2024. The Braves could rush the ETA and move him back to the bullpen, but I’d continue building him up.
Mike Vasil, RHP NYM - 45 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the eighth round of the 2021 draft out of Virginia.
Rankings: #9 on Mets Top 30 | #103 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Vasil was a potential first round pick in 2018 before he withdrew from the draft and ended up in Charlottesville. The stuff backed up on campus, and he fell to the eight round. Vasil has regained most of what he lost after having bone spurs removed in 2022 and making it back for a very successful AFL stint. The fastball works up in the zone and sits 93-94 MPH, while the rest of his offerings play off that pitch and end at the bottom of the zone or below. His cutter, curveball, and changeup are all hovering around average, and they all have solid pitch data. His ability to mix and match sets him apart, though, and his highly competitive mound presence adds a little notoriety. He was recently promoted to Triple-A, and his proximity definitely played a role in his fantasy ranking.
Future Role: Vasil sounds a little boring, but he’s a classic, well-rounded backend starter that lacks any plus traits. That sounds underwhelming, but it's a big league starter, which is not something I saw happening with him while watching him at Virginia.
Carson Whisenhunt, LHP SF - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 66th overall in the second round of the 2022 draft out of East Carolina.
Rankings: #4 on Giants Top 30 | #92 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: The six-foot-three lefty would’ve likely gone in the first round if he didn’t get suspended for PEDs, which wiped out his entire senior season. When he’s on the mound, there’s a lot to like here. His long, lean frame and ¾ arm slot allow him to get nearly six and a half feet of extension. His double-plus changeup is a killer with over 17 inches of horizontal break and -8 VAA. His fastball averages 93-94 MPH and has touched about 96 MPH, so his changeup gets excellent separation while sitting 80-83 MPH. His curveball lags behind the rest of the arsenal, and I have some concerns on how well a mostly two-pitch left-handed starter can do, especially when that pitch is a changeup. I also have some concerns about his fastball command. It was poor in his AFL stint, which was essentially his professional debut, so I’ll cut him some slack, but he needs better-than-average command to survive with just two pitches.
Future Role: Changeup-dominant starters aren’t typically a profile I get excited about, especially when they lack a true breaking ball. Whisenhunt is exactly that and really needs to add a cutter or something to his arsenal to give hitters something to keep them honest, as his arm slot really isn’t very welcoming to curveball development. I do think he’s a mid-rotation starter despite the flaws here.
Hitters
Jeferson Quero, C MIL - 55 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2019 from Venezuela.
Rankings: #4 on Brewers Top 30 | #130 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Quero has cemented himself as a Top 100 prospect with his strong showing this season as a 20-year-old in Double-A. We had some concerns about his power output and even the hit tool, because of how willing he is to expand the zone, and while he’s improved slightly in that department, his production this season has been so good that the concerns get quieted down a bit. He has always made contact at a high rate when he swings, but now he is hitting with authority, doing damage to the pull side and spraying the ball to all fields in Biloxi. He’s simply added a new element to his game, which elevates his offensive profile. He’s still a plus defender behind the plate, with a plus arm (caught stealing was 40% last year) and plus feet, and he moves incredibly well for the position. He’s getting rave reviews for his game calling and is adept at setting up hitters. There are some issues with his hands, specifically his trigger that wasn’t getting him in a great hitting position, but he’s addressed that and was able to find the power stroke.
Future Role: This is an easy one. He’s a future franchise catcher and could make his debut sometime in 2024. The Brewers always manage to squeeze more than enough out of catchers with questionable defense, but they could really turn Quero into a multiple all-star, and it looks like he will hit enough to get into Gold Glove conversations, too.
Dalton Rushing, C LAD - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 40th overall in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Louisville.
Rankings: #6 on Dodgers Top 30 | #27 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Rushing is the next impactful pro catcher from Louisville, joining Will Smith and Henry Davis as Top 100 prospects that have worn the tools of ignorance. Rushing has plus raw power, which comes from his immense strength and quick bat. He’s a very selective hitter, working counts and picking out his pitches. He’s introduced a toe tap as his trigger mechanism, and it has helped speed up his bat and hopefully perform better against velocity. He’s a special hitter, though, with an average hit tool (above-average to plus if you factor in his eye) and plus power. That doesn’t even account for his position.
Future Role: He has spent about one-third of his playing time this year at first base in High-A and, while that typically doesn’t bode well for a catcher's future behind the plate, this situation is a little different as the Dodgers have another catcher, Yeiner Fernandez, on the roster. There’s a bit of a log jam at the position for the Dodgers in the minors with legitimate catching prospects throughout and, not to mention, the presence of Will Smith on the big league club. With that, I see Rushing as a guy that is just good enough to stick behind the plate and function as the backup catcher and primary DH. He does have plus arm strength, but his accuracy is poor and he needs some work receiving. He can hit though!
Ryan Bliss, 2B/SS ARI - 45 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 42nd overall in the second round of the 2021 draft out of Auburn.
Rankings: #22 on Diamondbacks Top 30 | #361 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: The turnaround from last season for Bliss has been an incredible one, and it is really impactful when you can pinpoint the reason why. According to an article written by Nick Piecoro, Bliss said his swing was too steep last season, and he was focusing on doing too much damage at the plate instead of just letting it happen naturally. His line drive rate is way up this year, as is his hard hit rate. Bliss was one of the more productive college players, and it was his bat-to-ball skills and athleticism that set him apart. He looks to be back to that player now and is just playing with a confidence we haven’t seen since he was making highlight reel plays at shortstop on campus. Bliss is a fun player, and he currently leads all of minor league baseball in hits at the time of writing this.
Future Role: Despite his small frame, I do think there’s a chance Bliss can become an everyday option at second base. We’ve been slow to adjust his ranking this year after an awful 2022, and we will address that in the next update. He profiles as an everyday option at second base. His contact ability, power, and speed are all trending up in 2023.
Brady House, 3B WSH - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 11th overall in the 2021 draft out of Winder-Barrow HS in Georgia.
Rankings: #2 on Nationals Top 30 | #107 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: A back injury delayed the start of his season in 2022 and also ended it early after just 45 games, so I wouldn’t put much stock into his numbers from last year. This year, the big power and high end exit velocities are back, and he’s striking out less. He’s officially moved to third base, which was a move that was talked about even on draft night, and he looks like he’s settled in and now comfortable at the plate. The chase rates and whiff rates are still higher than you want, but he’s hitting for a ton of power, so you aren’t going to mess with it. The plus arm and good hands should have no issues at third base, and he’s taking to the new position fairly well, per reports.
Future Role: House has just recently moved to third base and will be a future middle of the order masher. He’s also going to be a great defender at the hot corner when he gets more time there, and his arm will certainly play. Brady House and James Wood both look like solid building blocks offensively. He’s going to stay as a 50 OFP for now but, if he keeps this up, he will jump a half grade fairly soon.
Jordan Lawlar, SS ARI - 55 OFP
Acquired: Drafted sixth overall in the 2021 draft out of Jesuit Prep HS in Texas.
Rankings: #1 on Diamondbacks Top 30 | #10 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Lawlar was ranked 12th on our pre-season Top 100. He’s dealt with his share of injuries in his brief professional career, the first of which was a labrum tear in his left shoulder in 2021 and then a fractured left scapula in the Arizona Fall League. When healthy, he’s posted above-average exit velocities and good speed. He has wide shoulders and is bigger than the typical shortstop and also young for the level here in Double-A. He’s posting strong walk rates and making enough contact, but he does noticeably struggle against spin, particularly curveballs. In the pre-season, we had the hit tool as plus, but I’ve seen enough that I would be willing to knock it down a half grade or so. The power is still plus, and he has incredible bat speed. There are some defensive concerns, as he made some fielding errors on routine balls and also had some issues throwing at times. I do think that will get ironed out, though.
Future Role: The Diamondbacks have Lawlar penciled in as their franchise shortstop, and he could be up as soon as late 2024. He’s been pushed aggressively so far and has passed most tests, but there are some concerns here that I’ve seen from watching him in Double-A. I want to stress that he’s still young for the level, but he might not be a star. There’s nothing wrong with being an above-average player, but that’s quite a bit different than being a star.
Noelvi Marte, SS/3B CIN - 55 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2018 from the Dominican Republic by the Seattle Mariners. Traded to the Reds as part of the Luis Castillo trade.
Rankings: #2 on Reds Top 30 | #26 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Marte was our 20th ranked prospect on our pre-season Top 100 list. He was exclusively a shortstop in his minor league career until he started playing some third base while at the AFL. He primarily played shortstop in Double-A but did mix in some third. He’s played third base in every game since arriving in Triple-A. We’ve long thought third base was his eventual position, and it seems the Reds may agree. The bat speed and his physical frame generate plus raw power that plays above-average in games, but his numbers did predictably dip ever so slightly in his Double-A stint. He makes above-average contact and has lowered his strikeout rate while basically maintaining his walk rate. His up-the-middle approach will transition to a more pull-heavy approach as he matures, and he is capable of 30+ homers in Cincinnati.
Future Role: Marte is going to be a future middle of the order slugger and will very much look the part once he fills out more. His above-average power will certainly play up in Great American Ballpark but, as the Reds look to add to their club that is very much in the race for a playoff spot, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s moved somewhere because they have a bit of a log jam on the infield in the short term.
Jackson Merrill, SS SD - 60 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 27th overall in the first round of the 2021 draft out of Severna Park HS in Maryland.
Rankings: #1 on Padres Top 30 | #40 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Merrill is an above-average athlete with excellent defensive traits and a double-plus hit tool due to his excellent bat-to-ball skills. His zone contact rates have been up over 90% now for two straight seasons, and that is despite his swing heavy, aggressive approach. He’s lifting the ball much more than he did last year, which is great, and his line drive rate is very high. There’s a future double-plus hit and average power tool combination here.
Future Role: Merrill is a franchise shortstop. He is more of a table setter than he is a middle of the lineup bopper, and that’s due to how good the hit tool is. He’s above-average defensively and, while there is a clear log jam at the big league level, those things tend to work themselves out, and we still likely won’t see Merrill until late 2024 at the earliest. Even that would may aggressive.
BJ Murray Jr., 3B CHC - 40 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the 15th round of the 2021 draft out of Florida Atlantic
Rankings: Unranked on Cubs Top 30 | Unranked on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: If the name sounds remotely familiar, it is because he played for Great Britain during the World Baseball Classic. There are small sample size caveats with each season but, including this year, Murray has posted a 113 wRC+ or better at each stop. The switch-hitter has a very selective eye at the plate, and he may even be too selective as he looks for his pitch. He has already hit seven homers this season, which is one shy of his career high. He’s played mostly third in 2023 but has also spent time at first and second base. He was born in the Bahamas and moved to Florida just before high school. Players with unusual backgrounds like this make for fun players in the Futures Game.
Future Role: Murray is hitting for more power, which gives him a greater chance of becoming a utility option, but the offensive bar for him is going to be a bit higher because he hasn’t played shortstop since entering pro ball. His ceiling is that of a utility dude, though, and those carry value.
Nasim Nuñez, SS MIA - 40 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 46th overall in the second round of the 2019 draft out of Collins Hill HS in Georgia.
Rankings: #16 on Marlins Top 30 | #496 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Nuñez is one of the top defenders at shortstop in all of the minors, and he continually makes acrobatic plays up the middle. He’s a small, twitchy defender with an average arm and, if he gets to the majors, it will be because of his defense. His hands are lightning fast, but the former Georgia prepster hasn’t been able to find a groove offensively. He will work counts, which is impressive the more that you think about it because it’s bottom of the scale power and possibly a well below-average tool. Pitchers don’t typically view players like this as an obstacle in the box, but he still grinds at-bats and makes them work harder than they should.
Future Role: I love Nuñez’s glove, and I do think that it gets him to the big leagues, but a lot of external factors will depend on how long he sticks around. He’s more of a defensive replacement than a true utility type, so an ideal roster build to squeeze him on the roster would be a big offensive asset at one of the up the middle positions or even third base, and then moving guys around in the late innings so Nuñez can then play shortstop. Unfortunately, there aren’t many players like this anymore as teams are hyper-focused on squeezing everything they can out of their 26 roster spots, and I’m not sure a speedy singles-hitter with a double-plus glove is enough these days. He’s a 40 OFP for me right now but, if he shows any signs of offensive life, he will jump up very quickly.
Endy Rodriguez, C/1B PIT - 55 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2018 from the Dominican Republic by the New York Mets. Traded to the Pirates as part of the three-team Joe Musgrove trade.
Rankings: #2 on Pirates Top 30 | #44 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Endy Rodriguez was our 27th ranked prospect on our pre-season Top 100 list. The former Mets prospect has moved around the diamond in recent years, playing some second base, outfield, and first base, in addition to catching, and the interesting wrinkle here is that he was announced as an infielder, which most likely means first base for this game. He has only caught and played some first base this year and did miss a week or so with a forearm injury he suffered on a throw down to second base. Offensively, he’s a switch hitter with strong bat-to-ball skills and excellent athleticism. His swing decisions have regressed a little bit this year, and it’s really hurt his power numbers while dragging down the rest of his skills. I’d assume he’s trying to do too much in hopes of a promotion, but his time should be coming soon. Henry Davis has been exclusively a right fielder and designated hitter since his call up, and Rodriguez has always been the stronger defender of the two. Both prospects have plus arms, but Rodriguez has quick twitch athleticism. They are both a bit on the smaller side for a catcher, but I have no issues with them sticking there, and especially with them controlling the running game.
Future Role: Rodriguez is really being set up to be the Pirates long-term answer at the catching position. We are waiting for the plus raw power to show up in games this year but, despite the struggles, he’s making contact at a plus rate and showing off that athleticism and versatility. Even average power with his contact skills and athleticism will make him a borderline star, so we don’t have that far to go here. He just needs to tighten up the swing decisions, and the power will come naturally.
Jackson Chourio, OF MIL - 70 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2021 from Venezuela
Rankings: #1 on Brewers Top 30 | #4 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Chourio was our 4th ranked prospect on our Top 100 in the preseason. He reached Double-A as an 18-year-old while showing double-plus power, a plus hit tool, a plus glove, and double-plus speed. It was as impressive as it gets. He’s back in Double-A this year and, after a very slow start, the peripheral stats are nearly identical to where they were last year while still maintaining that lightning quick bat speed. The underlying batted ball data isn’t as strong as you would hope. He’s still a very aggressive free swinger that will make a lot of weak contact chasing pitcher’s pitches on the fringes of the zone and beyond but, when he gets a hold of one, he will drive pitches on the outer half out over the right-center field wall, really showing his backside power. He has cut the strikeouts down significantly from his last Double-A stint and has actually gotten them down to the level they were in High-A last year, which is impressive considering his age and the talent jump. He’s fought with his mechanics a bit this year, and the extra spin due to the baseballs in the Southern League aren’t helping him much there. He’s making adjustments but has been flying open more in my video looks and stepping in the bucket. I went back and looked at last year’s swing mechanics, and he didn’t utilize the leg lift that he does now as a trigger mechanism. He instead just rotated his front foot inward and coiled up before rotating his lead foot back and unloading. His timing is a tad different now, and it’s causing some timing issues.
Future Role: Chourio is going to be a future star. Even though the numbers aren’t as strong as anyone may hope, we are talking about the rare double-plus power with double-plus speed and an above-average to plus hit tool combination with elite athleticism. He’s on the Ronald Acuña Jr. type trajectory and should arrive early in 2024. Superstars are worth waiting for, and he has the look.
Justin Crawford, OF PHI - 50 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 17th overall in the first round of the 2022 draft out of Bishop Gorman HS in Nevada
Rankings: #3 on Phillies Top 30 | #110 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Crawford has an above-average hit tool and double-plus speed, which is a nice foundation to build on offensively. The power is extremely limited. He has a 71% ground ball rate this year and also an average launch angle of -10 degrees. While these numbers work hand-in-hand, it's two different ways of saying that he hits the ball on the ground entirely too much. He does hit the ball hard, though, and it is a bottom hand dominant swing. Those two elements do seem to indicate at least some power is present, but it might take a significant overhaul to get to it. There’s projection in the frame, as he’s tall and skinny with not much meat on the bone. I do think he sticks in center field despite a fringy arm, adding value as an up the middle player.
Future Role: Despite the limited power, Crawford can impact the game in multiple ways due to his double-plus speed and nice contact skills. He looks like a potential table setter at the top of the lineup while playing above-average defense. He does need to improve his reads, but that comes with time and is something we currently have in abundance with him since he was a recent draftee.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF CHC - 60 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 19th overall in the first round by the Mets in the 2020 draft out of Harvard-Westlake HS in California. Traded to the Cubs as the primary return for Javier Baez.
Rankings: #1 on Cubs Top 30 | #14 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: We ranked him 18th in our off-season Top 100, and he has the overall type of skills that can impact both sides of the ball. His double-plus defense and speed are the loudest tools in the profile, paving the way for an elite center fielder that takes incredible routes to balls. He should also be a stolen base threat. He excels at going back on balls with how he positions his body and stays in control. It's a plus arm with both above-average carry and accuracy, and his defensive skills alone could carve out a solid Kevin Kiermaier-type role, but he can also hit. He has above-average pull-side power but will use all fields. We’ve given him average hit and power tools and, if he could cut back just a little bit on chasing pitches outside the zone, the hit tool could bump up another grade.
Future Role: You can make an argument that Crow-Armstrong may be the Cubs’ best position player right now not named Dansby Swanson, and I don’t think I would disagree. Like Swanson, he has the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. He’s going to play center field and hit at or near the top of the lineup for the next half decade, at least, starting in 2024. There’s a real chance he breaks camp next spring with the starting center fielder job.
Yanquiel Fernandez, OF COL - 50 OFP
Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in 2019 from Cuba.
Rankings: #2 on Rockies Top 30 | #122 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Fernandez has been one of the premier power hitting prospects in the minors the last few seasons, and he paired that power production with a strikeout rate under 18% this year in High-A. He’s a traditional corner outfielder with big power and a cannon arm. He has incredibly quick hands and hips, allowing him to turn on any pitch and hit it a mile. He makes a lot of contact, but he will often hit a pitcher’s pitch early in the count or chase pitches outside the zone instead of being patient and finding a pitch to drive. He was recently promoted to Double-A Hartford, which is a notorious pitcher’s park, and I’m curious to see how he does against more advanced pitching. He will be 20 years old for the rest of the season, and he’s already accomplished quite a bit by reaching Double-A. He’s performing well in the early going.
Future Role: We’re reaching a fork in the road here for Fernandez. No player with a swinging strike rate as high as Fernandez has been able to maintain an overall strikeout rate as low as Fernandez has this year, so I expect the strikeout rate will be uncomfortably high in Double-A while he’s also hitting for power. Reining in his over-aggressiveness and letting the huge exit velocities play is the next challenge.
Victor Scott II, STL - 45 OFP
Acquired: Drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 draft out of West Virginia.
Rankings: #9 on Cardinals Top 30 | #403 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Scott can absolutely fly and is one of the fastest players in all of minor league baseball. Not only is the speed double-plus, but he has built his entire game around it and will take over a game with his stolen base and defensive abilities. There are two double-plus tools here in his speed and defense, and we were light on his hit tool entering the season. He’s shown above-average contact and chase rates so far in 2023, and he’s climbed all the way to Double-A in his first full professional season. There’s some power here to the pull-side and, while his opposite field ability is essentially limited to slapping singles the other way, his speed allows him to swipe a bag and instantly get into scoring position. He led the Big 12 in stolen bases, and that skill has translated well as he’s 52-for-59 on the basepaths at the time of writing this.
Future Role: Victor Scott is one of the fastest and best defensive center fielders in affiliated baseball. There’s enough speed, contact, and approach here that he could eventually hit at the top of the lineup for the Redbirds. The floor is high because, even if he doesn't hit, he can get to the big leagues due to his two double-plus tools. I’m aggressive on the power output and think he has enough juice to swat 12-15 homers, in addition to the average hit tool. He’s an exciting player.
James Wood, WSH - 70 OFP
Acquired: Drafted 62nd overall in the second round by the San Diego Padres in the 2020 draft out of IMG Academy in Florida. Traded to the Nationals as a part of the return for Juan Soto.
Rankings: #1 on Nationals Top 30 | #8 on Top 500 Dynasty Rankings
Report: Wood was ranked 8th on our pre-season Top 100. The six-foot-frame frame catches your immediate attention, and the build is unique for a baseball player. He’s thickened up and is powerful and high-waisted. He’s also insanely strong. The 90% EVs are absolutely insane, and he has hit a few balls over 114 MPH off the bat as a 20-year-old. The frequency of his hard contact is one of the things that stands out, but he’s also a freakish athlete with above-average speed, making him a truly unique talent. The strikeout rate will always be a little uncomfortable because of how long his arms are, but he is able to manipulate the barrel better than most and finds a way to drive even pitchers’ pitches by creating optimal angles with the barrel. While the barrel control is plus, the strikeouts will still be a thing as he has some uncontrolled length to the swing and some issues with breaking balls from right-handers as they break towards him. He absolutely hammers fastballs, though, and won’t chase one off the plate. One thing to watch is he has suffered two separate wrist injuries in his career and, if you were looking for something that could possibly slow him down, that would be it.
Future Role: I’d bet on him settling in right field long-term as the Nationals are likely to have a plus center fielder around that can probably fit the position better while allowing Wood to showcase his arm strength. He is the next franchise player in Washington, and that could be as soon as 2024. He’s the type of athlete that could hit .270 with 30-40 homers at his peak, while also having a few seasons with over 20 steals. If those ever happen at the same time, watch out.